Grand Circle volunteers help make a happy home for women in need

As every traveler knows, there's no place like home after a long journey. But what about those who have no home to return to? Here at Grand Circle we like to think we change people's lives on a daily basis, but we recently did that in a different way—by sprucing up the Park Street Residence in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. The Residence serves formerly homeless women living with chronic mental illness. Thanks to 113 Grand Circle volunteers, it now has repaired and repainted steps and a handicapped ramp, repainted bedrooms, beautified flower beds and a vegetable garden, and refinished picnic tables.

"I can't thank you enough," said Joe Curly, director of maintenance. "All the ladies are so grateful about the way you made everything beautiful for them to live here!"

It's just one of dozens of volunteer and non-profit activities Grand Circle associates participate in throughout the year, but Rebuilding Together Boston is by far the largest. Part of a national Rebuilding Day that partners volunteers with skilled laborers, it's organized by Jim Cummings and Nicole Braley Cummings—longtime associates and organizers who are almost skilled laborers by now themselves.

"Although the work we do from year to year involves different sites and tasks, we consistently get the same feedback at the end of the day," said Jim. "The staff of the Park Street Residence were extremely impressed and grateful for the organization, dedication and enthusiasm shown by GCC volunteers."